HomeMy WebLinkAbout07262010 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 314
CALL TO ORDER
The July 26, 2010 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Willard E. Dunham.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Willard E. Dunham presiding and Jean Bardarson
Linda Amberg Vanta Shafer
Tom Smith Bob Valdatta
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
ABSENT — Marianna Keil
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Jim Herbert, spoke of welcoming the adults and students visiting from Obihiro Japan and
invited the public to join the feast in their honor at the opening ceremony at the IMS/Rae building
tomorrow evening.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson /Amberg) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
The following was added to the agenda:
A discussion of condemnation procedures
Memoriam for Chris Eastman
Appoint Keith Campbell as liaison coordinator for the WADA September run.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 315
Resolution 2010 -065, Accepting A Grant From The State Of Alaska Department Of
Corrections Grant Program In The Amount Of $9,785.24 For The Purpose Of Repairing
Modular Seating And Bunk Beds In The Seward Community Jail And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2010 -066, Accepting A Grant For $2,000 From Holland America Line Inc.
Community Advisory Board For The Purchase Of A Kit Greenhouse For The Summer
Greenhouse Program At The Teen Youth Center.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A memoriam was read for U. S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Chris Eastman who was
killed on duty in Afghanistan July 18, 2010, and council paused for a moment of silence in his
honor.
The Officer's and Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy were welcomed on their
patrol break during July 21— 27, 2010.
Certificates of Appreciation were given in anticipation of their retirement to Mary
Toll, KPB Platting Officer and Jane Gabler, KPB Floodplain Administrator.
A proclamation celebrating 20 years was given to American's with Disabilities Act
(ADA).
A welcome proclamation and introduction of the 2010 Japanese Exchange Students
and Adults from Obihiro, Japan. Three girl students were Yuki Okuyama, 16; Fumi
Mitamura, 17; and Chihiro Muramatsu, 16; and three adults, Hiroyoshi Nishijima, High
school teacher and Tsugio Komazawa, a Junior high teacher who is visiting for the second time
with the Adult Citizen Exchange program. International Coordinator Josh Neta also visited as
chaperone upon his new position with Obihiro.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates stated two purchase orders had been
issued to Metco totaling $49,962.59 for tidal surge repairs and hazard mitigation. As a retired
military member he also wished to pay tribute to the service of U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant
Christopher L. Eastman. He wanted it known Mr. Eastman had one of the toughest jobs in the
military and his prayers were with the family. Oates noted the Economic Development Assessment
recommendations would be coming to the Council in the near future and a town meeting would be
tentatively scheduled for September or October with possibly Christi Bell facilitating.
Oates stated the Boys & Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula presented a request for $25,000 in
funding from the City. The Administration would prefer using the national model of support
primarily based upon corporate sponsorship and fund - raising, rather than government funding. If
directed to do so, he would bring forth a resolution appropriating the entire or partial amount.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 316
Harbor: The ADEC- Division of Water (storm -water permitting) completed an inspection of
him
the Seward Marine Industrial Center in early June. They were complimentary of City Staff,
recordkeeping, and policies set in place by City Council. He stated 16 vessels at the Seward Marine
Industrial Center with unpaid upland storage fees would be impounded and the city had intended to
sell those vessels. Oates stated rock placement for the East Harbor Breakwater Extension was
scheduled for the first week of September. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Seward Harbor
would be working to get the word out through USCG notice to mariners, newsletters to slip - holders,
and radio advertising.
Community Development: Thanks to a generous grant provided by the Ocean Alaska
Science and Learning Center and cooperation with the Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance,
National Parks Foundation, Seward's Public Works Department, the Alaska Department of
Transportation, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Alaska SeaLife Center, AmeriCorps volunteers, and Kenai
Fjords National Park, storm drains would be stenciled with the image of a salmon and the phrase
"Dump No Waste, Drains to Resurrection Bay" to keep products from being dumped into the
environment. Oates noted two additional stops were added at the request of local merchants and
riders along the existing Seward Shuttle Route. He hoped to also add a wireless hotspot in the cruise
ship terminal with City and cruise ship head tax money.
Public Works: The city was notified that FEMA had no funding available for the Lowell
Creek Bridge repair project, and the city would continue to look for funding. The Coast Guard
relocation project was moving forward including waterline design and storm water relocation with
consideration of the Z float project. A contract with M.L. Foster is being drafted for this scope of
work and the Public Works Department would be managing the extension and design of the security
(Z) float.
Mayoral Report, Mayor Willard Dunham stated representatives for the Pratt Museum
came to visit. He met with the Friends of Jesse Lee Home, and the Corps of Engineers on the Lowell
Creek tunnel. He attended an RDC meeting on renewable energy. Dunham spoke of other
upcoming meetings and conferences that he would be attending in the near future.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
A Presentation Was Given By AML /JIA Kevin Smith.
A Presentation Was Given By Jill Simpson Of Seaview Community Center, Re:
Seward Prevention Coalition, And Alaska Children's Trust Grant.
Council recessed at 8:35 p.m.
Council resumed at 8:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
... Resolution 2010 -062, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Amendment To The
Lease Agreement 94 -093 With DCS Tower Sub, LLC, As Successor In Interest To McCaw
Cellular Communications, Inc For Lot 1, Block 8, Fourth Of July Subdivision, Seward Marine
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 317
Industrial Center, For The Purpose Of Extending The Term Of The Lease To June 30, 2015.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -062
Oates stated this would be the third and final lease extension allowed with possible options
extended to June 2030. The amendment included an annual rent increase and recognized the
assignment of Dobson Cellular to its affiliate, DCS Tower Sub, LLC. This lease was consistent with
plans and strengthened the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) area for marine activities.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -063, Amending The Garbage Tariff.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -063
Oates could not extend the franchise agreement further. It had been ten years and it had to go
to the voters in October. Administration wanted to let the people know there was a rate increase
before the people voted. A work session was held last week on this issue. This contract would
increase customer rates 25 %, reduce revenues by $47,880 based on the contractor assuming
responsibility for customer billing, and impose a 3% franchise fee for the use and maintenance of 01J
roads and alleyways. The company had huge overhead with the rising cost of fuel and other matters,
and had not had a tariff increase since 2004. Refuse rates had been increased in 2002 and 2004.
Recycling initiatives would be investigated with equipment upkeep and increases proposed for the
future. This would give a one -year agreement for council to decide whether to put out an RFP with
this rate increase.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the
public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was
closed.
Amendment (Amberg /Shafer) Change both Section 1 and 2 dates from
October 1, 2010 to January 1, 2011
Amendment Passed 4 -2 Yes: Shafer, Bardarson, Smith, Amberg
No: Valdatta, Dunham
Main Motion Passed Yes: Shafer, Smith, Amberg, Bardarson,
Dunham
No: Valdatta
NEW BUSINESS
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 318
Resolution 2010 -064, Approving A Franchise For The Collection And Disposal Of Garbage
And Refuse With Alaska Pacific Environmental Services Anchorage, LLC dba Alaska Waste,
�.. Subject To Approval By The Voters Of Seward At The October 5, 2010 Regular City
Elections.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -064
Mayor Dunham passed the gavel to the Vice -Mayor and disclosed a possible conflict since his
son worked for this company. He declared there was no financial gain from this.
With no objections by Council, Vice -Mayor Bardarson ruled a conflict did not exist.
Oates stated that a franchise needed to go to the voters for approval and this proposed
contract was for a period of one -year, to provide time for the City and Alaska Waste to address
additional issues.
Finance Director Kristin Erchinger spoke about an option to extend and that the vote
would be mainly for a one -year extension. If voters didn't approve, then an RFP would go out to
identify another franchise and a special election would be held within the next year.
Smith and Amberg wanted an RFP within the next year. They thought it was a healthy thing
to put an RFP out every few years.
Valdatta thought there were not enough companies to spend the extra time and money
formulating an RFP for refuse.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -067, To Approve In Principle And Adopt With Revisions The Seward /Bear
Creek Flood Service Area Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -067
Community Development Director Christy Terry said this was the revision to adopt
specific changes to the plan for floodplain management and to insure accuracy in areas that were
established watersheds within the city limits. She thought the borough hired an excellent hydrologist
and commended the efforts of the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board for the quality of
this Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. She went through the changes that were made.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -068, Supporting The Road And Sidewalk Priority Lists That Are To Be
Funded Using The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program And Federal Earmark
Monies Administered Through ADOT &PF.
�,,, Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -068
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 319
Oates stated $2 million dollars was earmarked for road improvement projects. $2.7 million
was earmarked for road drainage projects and required a $300,000 match. Public priorities were sari
solicited and modified. He said the city must provide a scope of work by September 2010, to secure
the funds and a priority list must be adopted and submitted to the Department of Transportation.
Valdatta wanted to put pipe in- ground under sidewalks for eventual connection to heat. He
thought if the pipe was put in now, it would be there for future use and would give people the
opportunity to heat their portions of sidewalks if they desired.
Dunham also wanted this looked into.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -069, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Amendment Number Two
With Rise Alaska, LLC (Rise) For Professional Project Management Services Through 65%
Design For The New Co- Located Library Museum Facility, Appropriating Additional Funding
Not -To- Exceed Forty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($49,500) And Accepting Grant
Funds Totaling $4.7 Million From The State Of Alaska.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -069
Oates acknowledged that the state had appropriated $4.7 million to build the Library/Museum
facility. This appropriated $49,500 and continued the contract with Rise Alaska for project
management services through the 65% design phase, and accepted the grant funds to build the new
library/museum facility.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -070, Supporting The Seward Community Library Museum Project,
Authorizing The City Manager To Submit A Tier 2 Full Proposal To Rasmuson Foundation
Requesting Not More Than $1.5m, And Acknowledging The Intent To Bond In An Amount
Not To Exceed $2.5m For The Construction Of The Seward Community Library Museum.
Motion (Shafer /Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2010 -070
Oates reminded that the city and the Seward Community Library/Museum Building
Committee were working to raise funds to build the new facility. Milestones in the project progress
included city purchase of the site, 35% design completion, the hiring of project management, the
voter approval for passage of General Obligation (GO) bonds, and the state appropriating $4.7
million dollars for construction.
Oates stated the city would request no more than $1.5 million dollars from Rasmuson, and
had until August 16, 2010 to submit the proposal. The total estimated cost of the project was still
$10.3 million dollars. The increased costs to the general fund to repay bonds and added
maintenance costs were estimated at $477,000 annually. To cover these increased costs with a sales
tax would require an additional 0.53% annually. To cover this amount with property tax would
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 320
require an additional 1.59 mills. Oates said Administration needed to seek a secure revenue source
to obtain capital financing for the project and stressed the voters had approved supporting GO bonds
up to $5 million dollars. Because of voter approval, and the issue to have a secure funding source to
repay any bonds, Oates stated whatever funding source was decided to repay any bonds could not
come back as a referendum.
Valdatta thought it would have to be a sales tax instead of property tax because it was not fair
to have only a handful of owners paying for what everyone used.
Amberg reminded that the public had said an emphatic "no" to additional sales tax used to
pay for the new facility.
Bardarson stated she had an overwhelming group of citizen phone calls that were worried
whether the city could afford the $2.5 million dollar bond. She was more comfortable with $1.5
million and urged council to look at the big community need picture. She did not think the
community could pay annually for a $2.5 million bond. She thought the city should commit to $1.5
and go up from there. Bardarson was afraid once you put the $2.5 million dollar commitment out
there, the city could not go lower, even with the "intent language."
Much discussion ensued about whether to drop the dollar amount and how to fund the rest of
the facility.
The Rules Were Suspended By Unanimous Consent To Ask Questions Of Seward Library
Museum Building Committee Members.
Judy Andrianoff spoke on behalf of the Library/Museum Building Committee and said the
$1.2 million that was raised was not only from the city, but clarified it came from grant
opportunities, significant gifts, donations and in -kind services from places like the Foraker Group.
The city contribution so far had been the land purchase and a capital campaign plan. Andrianoff
directed that the community had overwhelmingly supported bonding up to $5 million in the 2009
municipal election for the Library/Museum and expressed the city council had agreed to the $2.5
million dollar limit at a prior work session. She thought it was important to show Rasmuson what
the city's commitment was and felt $2.5 million was the minimum.
Madelyn Walker said the intent language, up to $2.5 million, was needed to communicate
the city's commitment to complete the project.
Motion Passed Yes: Bardarson, Valdatta, Smith, Shafer,
Dunham
No: Amberg
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
The Mayor /Council planned travel budget for 2010 was discussed.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 321
The work session on land policies and procedures was re- scheduled for Thursday, August ..
5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Keith Campbell was appointed as the liaison /coordinator for the September events
associated with the Jujiro Wada Memorial Association.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
City Of Seward May Financial Report.
Providence Seward Financial Report for May.
Copy of Mayor Letter to Obihiro Mayor.
Copy of 3 Mayor Letters to Yeosu City Korea.
Seward Harbor Write -Off for F/V Taku.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Colleen Kelly, thanked the council for the vote on the library museum. She hoped the theme
"Something For Us" was a wish that would actually happen.
COUNCILS' COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZ -
CITIZENS' COMMENTS None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 p.m.
iikifk.-/'
Jea Lewis, Willard E. Dunham
Cit Clerk - Mayor
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